Precision chrome plating for restorations, custom builds and industrial applications. From worn and weathered to smooth, brilliant and built to last.
Chrome Plating Is a Process, Built Layer by Layer
What people call chrome is really three plated layers working together. Copper goes down first and fills the microscopic valleys left by polishing, which is what gives a finished part its depth. Nickel follows and does the real work: it carries the brightness and it is the layer that protects the base metal from corrosion. Chrome goes on last, and it is measured in millionths of an inch. It adds hardness, the blue white tone everyone recognizes, and it keeps the nickel from clouding over.
That is why plating quality is decided long before a part reaches the chrome tank. A bright finish over a poorly prepared surface will show every scratch, every ripple and every pit, because chrome magnifies whatever sits underneath it. Roughly seventy percent of the labor on a restoration piece is stripping, metal repair, and hand polishing. The tanks are the fast part.
We have been doing this since 1989, and in that time the work has split into two very different jobs. New production parts need consistency, adhesion testing and repeatable thickness. Restoration parts need a human being with a buffing wheel who knows when a casting is worth saving and when it is not. We do both, in the same building, with the same inspection standard.
Send photos of what you have. We will tell you what the substrate is, what it will take to bring it back, what it will cost and how long it will sit in the shop. If a part is not worth the money we will say so, because a straight answer costs us less than an unhappy customer.
Chrome is the right answer for a lot of parts, but not all of them. Here is how it compares with the two finishes customers ask us about most.
A hard, bright mirror with the cool blue white tone everyone recognizes. The classic choice for fixtures, hardware and trim that people see and touch every day.
Softer and warmer than chrome, with a faint golden glow. A favorite for antiques, vintage hardware and pieces that need to look true to their era.
A tough coating baked onto the metal instead of a plated layer. The practical choice when you want color or texture rather than a mirror finish.
Chrome is not one process. A show car bumper, a hydraulic rod and a set of motorcycle covers each need a different build, a different thickness and a different level of preparation. Here is what comes out of our tanks.
Our highest standard. Copper, nickel and chrome with hand polishing between every stage, built for concours cars, custom builds and pieces that will be looked at closely under lights.
Three separate layers for a finish that lasts. Copper levels the base, nickel adds brightness and corrosion protection, and chrome seals it all with a hard, bright top coat built to hold up for decades.
The classic mirror finish. Each layer is buffed to a high reflection before the chrome goes on, giving bumpers, trim, wheels and hardware a bright, clear surface that stands out.
A soft, low glare finish with a brushed look. The part keeps the protection of chrome while hiding fingerprints and small marks, ideal for fixtures, interior trim and everyday hardware.
A smooth, matte sheen with a subtle glow instead of a mirror reflection. A popular choice for motorcycle parts, custom builds and pieces that call for an understated, modern look.
Getting your parts professionally finished has never been easier. Here is how we take them from worn to showroom ready.
Upload or email photos of your parts using our quote form. The more angles, the better.
We review and send a detailed written quote within 24 business hours. No obligation.
Ship your parts to our facility or drop them off in person. We provide packing guidance.
Our platers strip, prep, plate and inspect every surface before it moves on.
Pick up in person or we ship your finished parts back, carefully packed and insured.
Not every metal accepts every finish. After more than three decades we know what each substrate can take, and we tell you before you ship it.
The workhorse substrate. Takes chrome, nickel, copper, powder coating and electroless nickel with excellent adhesion. Pitted or rusted steel is stripped and copper filled first so the finish goes on smooth.
Naturally resists corrosion, but its protective oxide layer blocks adhesion. We activate the surface with a nickel strike before plating, so chrome, nickel and electroless nickel bond properly instead of flaking off.
Requires a zincate pretreatment before plating. We chrome plate, powder coat and polish wheels, intake manifolds, valve covers and architectural extrusions.
The hardest material in the trade and the one most shops turn away. Trim, grilles and bezels are stripped, welded, copper filled and hand buffed before chrome.
Polishes beautifully and plates cleanly. Common on marine hardware, lighting, plumbing fixtures and architectural pieces.
A soft, highly conductive base that plates beautifully. After cleaning and removing tarnish, it takes nickel, chrome, silver and gold directly with strong adhesion. We polish carefully, since copper scratches and dents easily.
Every quote is built part by part. These six things move the price up or down, so you know what to expect before you send photos.
Pits, rust, dents and cracks all have to be repaired before plating. A clean part costs far less than one that needs hours of metal work first.
Steel and brass plate easily. Pot metal, aluminum and stainless need extra steps so the layers bond, and that adds time to the job.
Large pieces take more tank space and more polishing. Deep recesses, tight corners and detailed castings take longer to buff by hand.
Show chrome gets the most polishing between layers. Satin and pearl finishes need a different prep, so each finish is priced on its own.
Sets and production runs are plated together, so the cost per piece usually goes down as the quantity goes up.
Standard orders take 3 to 5 weeks. Expedited orders in 5 to 7 business days depend on shop availability, so ask when you request your quote.
Every chrome finish we run in house, the base metals we plate, and the prep and repair work that makes the finish last.
Drag the handle on any photo to see the part as it arrived and as it left the shop. Every piece below came in written off by someone else.
Before
Pitting and salt corrosion from years of exposure on the water. Cleats, pull rings, hinges and fittings were stripped, repaired and replated with a heavy nickel base under a bright chrome finish built to resist salt air.
Before
Flaking chrome, mineral buildup and rust from a bathroom nobody had touched in decades. The tub filler, hand shower, supply lines, drain, overflow plate and claw feet were stripped, repaired, buffed and triple plated in copper, nickel and chrome so the whole set matches again.
Before
A full set of bar pulls, cup pulls, bow pulls and knobs, worn through to the base metal after years of daily use. Each piece was repaired, polished and replated in bright chrome so every size and style matches.
From custom builders to industrial manufacturers, our clients trust us to deliver the same result every time.
Restoration shops, custom builders, boatyards and manufacturers, held to the same standard on every part that comes through the door.
Faucets, cabinet pulls, railings and home fixtures restored or refinished to a lasting mirror shine.
Door pulls, push plates, handrails, elevator and lobby trim for hotels, casinos and office buildings. We plate every piece of a project to the same finish so the whole building matches.
Faucets, valves, shower heads and drain fittings finished to resist water spots, corrosion and wear.
Handles, levers, hinges, knobs and plates in polished chrome, satin or custom finishes.
Lamp bases, sconces, chandelier arms and fixture parts refinished to reflect light beautifully.
Hotel fixtures, bath hardware and lobby accents finished to match a consistent, upscale look across every room.
Slot machine trim, bar rails, signage and gaming floor accents that shine under bright lights around the clock.
Equipment components, carts, rails and fittings plated for a clean, durable and easy to sanitize surface.
Rails, cleats, hinges and deck hardware finished to survive salt water and constant sun.
Founded over three decades ago, we have built a reputation as one of the most trusted metal finishing shops in the region. Automotive enthusiasts, motorcycle builders, marine clients and industrial manufacturers all get the same standard.
Send us a photo of your part and receive a no obligation quote within 24 hours. No guesswork, no surprises.
Every part leaves our shop backed by our craftsmanship guarantee. If you are not satisfied, we make it right.
We work with clients nationwide. Pack and ship your parts to us and we will handle the rest with white glove care.
We understand deadlines matter. Most projects are completed and ready for pickup or shipping within 3 to 5 weeks. Expedited orders take 5 to 7 business days. Contact us for availability.
Every part we process represents your time, your investment and your reputation. Our commitment is to deliver consistent workmanship through quality materials, trained personnel and careful inspection at every stage.
We use carefully selected materials and processes designed to produce a durable, consistent finish and professional results.
Our team is trained to handle each stage of the finishing process with attention to preparation, application and final presentation.
Finished parts are carefully inspected by our quality control team before they are packaged and prepared for shipment.
Parts are handled and packaged with care throughout our facility to help protect the finish before they leave our shop.
Not sure what your part needs? Send us a photo.
We'll tell you what the metal is, what it takes to bring it back and what it costs. A written quote usually comes back within 24 business hours, and there's no obligation.
How to Keep Chrome Bright
Living close to the coast is hard on metal. The marine layer leaves a film of moisture on every surface most mornings, and that moisture carries salt inland for miles. A car parked in Oceanside, Carlsbad or Coronado collects more salt in a month than the same car does in a year farther inland. Good chrome handles it well, but it lasts much longer when that salt does not sit on it for weeks at a time.
Routine care is simple. Rinse plated parts with fresh water, wash them with a mild soap, and dry them completely with a soft cloth so mineral spots do not form. A coat of wax or a nonabrasive sealant every few months gives salt and moisture something to sit on besides the finish. What ruins chrome faster than anything is the wrong product: steel wool, rubbing compounds, acidic wheel cleaners and pool chemicals all wear through the top layer and leave the nickel exposed.
It also pays to know what failing plating looks like. Small rust freckles mean moisture has found a pinhole and reached the base metal. A milky haze that will not wipe off means the surface is breaking down. Bubbles or flaking along edges mean the layers have lost their bond. None of these get better with polish, and the longer a part sits like that, the more metal repair it needs before it can be plated again.
If you are in the area, you can bring a part by the shop and we will look at it with you. Sometimes a careful cleaning is all it needs. When the plating is truly finished, we will explain why and what it takes to bring it back.
Chrome Plating Gallery
Mirror bright, satin and pearl chrome on hardware, fixtures, marine fittings and industrial parts, finished in our Oceanside shop.
You do not need to live in California to work with us. About a third of the parts in our shop arrive by freight, and the process is simple.
Send photos of every part with a short description. We reply with a written quote and a lead time, usually the same business day. Never ship before you have a quote number.
Wrap each piece individually, keep metal from touching metal, and use at least three inches of padding on every side. Double box long trim and bumpers.
Declare the real replacement value with the carrier. Email us the tracking number so we can watch for the delivery and log your parts the day they land.
When the work is done we photograph every piece and send the images for your approval. Once you sign off we pack it in fresh materials and ship it back insured.
One shop, one set of tanks and one inspection standard. Everything on this page happens in this building.
San Diego's trusted chrome plating and metal finishing facility since 1989.
We serve Chula Vista, Oceanside, El Cajon, Carlsbad, Escondido, La Mesa, National City and the greater San Diego metro. Cannot make it in person? We accept shipped parts from anywhere in the United States.
Our facility sits in Oceanside, in North County San Diego, and we cover the county every week. Select your city for turnaround times and drop off options in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have answered the questions customers ask most before getting started. Still need help? Call the shop or send a message.
Price is driven by preparation, not by the plating itself. A clean, straight part needs polishing and three plating layers. A pitted casting needs stripping, welding, copper fill and hours of hand buffing before it ever reaches the chrome tank. Send photos and we return a written quote within 24 business hours.
Standard turnaround is 3 to 5 weeks. Expedited orders can be ready in 5 to 7 business days when the shop schedule allows, so ask about availability when you request your quote. Restoration work on pitted pot metal or heavily damaged pieces sits at the longer end, because the metal repair and hand polishing take far longer than the plating.
Yes. Pot metal is the most demanding substrate in the trade and the one most shops refuse. Castings are stripped, cracks and pits are welded and filled with copper, then the surface is hand buffed until it is flat before nickel and chrome are applied.
No. Chrome plating is a metal layer deposited on the part in a plating tank, built over copper and nickel. Chrome paint and chrome vinyl are coatings that sit on the surface. Only real plating gives the depth, hardness and reflection of show chrome.
Yes. Aluminum requires a zincate pretreatment before plating so the copper layer bonds correctly. We chrome plate aluminum wheels, valve covers, intake manifolds and machined components.
Yes, and on any restoration it is required. Old chrome, nickel and copper are stripped back to bare substrate so the metal underneath can be inspected and repaired. Plating over failing chrome traps the defect and it returns within months.
Yes. About a third of the parts in the shop arrive by freight. Get a written quote first, pack each piece separately with padding on every side, insure the shipment for its real replacement value and send us the tracking number.
No. Chrome is a bright mirror and it magnifies whatever is underneath it. Every defect has to be repaired and polished out during preparation, which is exactly why preparation is most of the labor on a restoration part.
